Can You Freeze Broccoli: Now, a day’s everyone is interested in gardening and producing vegetables on their own that they like to eat most, and also they are left with an abundance of fresh produce that they want to preserve. Broccoli is one of them.
Even if you got a lot of broccoli in your garden and after harvesting them from your garden, do not know how to store that without wasting it? If so, you are on the right page. Not only as you got broccoli in your garden, but having plenty of prepared broccoli will make it easy to grab a handful to use in recipes.
So, in this article you will learn about can you freeze broccoli, how to freeze broccoli, how long can you freeze broccoli, methods to freeze, and many more. Just start reading to know!!
- Can You Freeze Broccoli?
- How To Freeze Broccoli?
- Preparing the Broccoli
- Freezing Blanched Broccoli
- Freezing Cooked, Steamed, or Roasted Broccoli
- How To Defrost Frozen Broccoli
- How To Use Frozen Broccoli
- How Long Does Broccoli Last in the Freezer?
- Can You Refreeze Broccoli?
- Tips & Tricks For Freezing Broccoli
- Does broccoli freeze well?
- Can you freeze broccoli without blanching?
- In how many ways you can freeze broccoli?
Can You Freeze Broccoli?
Yes, of course, you can freeze broccoli. Maybe you have seen it in many grocery stores too if I am not wrong. And freezing them at home is also an easy and quick process. And it will be very healthy and tasty if you do it at home than buying them at the store. And once you freeze the broccoli by blanching technique it will stay fresh for 6-8 months.
How To Freeze Broccoli?
Like other vegetables, freezing broccoli also has many ways. The process will also be like freezing cauliflower, and you can choose the one that will work best for you. Just look into the processes that we have given and freeze them the way you like.
Preparing the Broccoli
For any type of freezing method, preparing broccoli will be the most common thing. If you buy broccoli outside or harvested from your garden, you need to choose the good-sized, tight, with closed flower buds.
- Just take a bowl of lukewarm water and add some salt to it.
- And then, cut them into florets and add them to that bowl and leave it for 15 minutes. so that, if there are any bugs or insects they will come out from that broccoli.
- Then, remove all the florets from that bowl and keep them in running water as you have transferred them into another bowl.
Freezing Blanched Broccoli
If it is the first time you freeze broccoli and do not know how you use them, just use this blanching technique as it will have many benefits like having the same taste and texture as fresh ones even after freezing. And just have a look into the process as we have provided you with step by step to understand easily.
- As we already prepared broccoli by cutting them as florets, first thing after this, take a pot of water and boil them.
- Once the water comes to the boiling point, just throw all the broccoli florets into that water for 2 to 3 minutes which totally depends on the size.
- In these 2 to 3 minutes time, you just keep another pot full of cold water along with ice cubes.
- Immediately after 3 minutes transfer those florets into the cold water pot.
- Then leave them in an ice bath for 5 to 10 minutes of time.
- Strain the water after 5 to 10 minutes and then, wait until they become dry, place them on the paper towel, or leave them in the strainer.
- After completion of blanching, and making them dry take a cookie sheet and place them in a single layer.
- Freeze them for an hour or two, and then transfer the frozen broccoli to freezer bags or containers.
- Label it with your name and date if you like it.
- Finally, chuck the bags into the freezer.
Freezing Cooked, Steamed, or Roasted Broccoli
If you want to freeze the broccoli like ready-to-eat a snack. You just simply, roasting, cooking, and steaming is the best process. You can just take that frozen broccoli and you can warm them up and eat or use it in cooking dishes. Just look into the process below.
Many people will like this process. It will be the best method for a meal preparation routine. Study the steps carefully and try them out.
- As broccoli is already prepared as mentioned in preparing broccoli, just preheat the oven first at 420 degrees F.
- Now, put the florets into the bowl and add some olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and spices you like, and mix them well.
- Take a cookie sheet and place the aluminum foil on it, then place the broccoli neatly in one layer and place it in the oven after preheating it.
- Roast the broccoli for 25 to 30 minutes and then check that the broccoli is soft or not and then remove them once they are cooked.
- Let them cool and portion them into freezer bags and keep them in the freezer.
Follow the simple steps to freeze the cooked broccoli.
- Place the broccoli florets into boiling water.
- Cook the florets for 10-15 minutes until the veggie becomes soft.
- Once the broccoli is cooked upto 50 -60%, remove them from boiling and strain the water completely.
- And then place them in the freezer bag in portions and then freeze them.
Have a look into the steamed broccoli process to freeze the steamed broccoli easily.
- Firstly, steam the broccoli florets which are prepared already by putting them into boiling water.
- Cook for 20-25 minutes until it becomes soft.
- Then, strain the water and let them dry.
- And then make them into portions and place them into containers and freezer bags.
- Throw them into the freezer.
How To Defrost Frozen Broccoli
The best way to defrost the broccoli will be mainly based on the way you plan to use them. If you use broccoli in cooking dishes, stews, or soups you can use them directly from the freezer. If you are using them for stir-fries, leave the broccoli overnight in the fridge and then use them. If you want to use them immediately you can keep the frozen bag in cold water and defrost them.
How To Use Frozen Broccoli
We have many ways to use frozen broccoli, you can use frozen broccoli in cooking dishes, stews, soups, and many more. Anyways, frozen broccoli is used in the same way you use fresh broccoli. In soups and stews, you can use the frozen florets directly without defrosting them.
How Long Does Broccoli Last in the Freezer?
Frozen broccoli will last for many days. If you freeze the broccoli through the blanching process you can save the broccoli in the freezer for upto a year. The longer you keep the broccoli in the freezer the more dehydrated it gets and changes its texture and quality. And if you do not dry the water properly in the broccoli before you freeze the broccoli, it will not stay good for longer and it may cause freezer burns.
Can You Refreeze Broccoli?
No, broccoli is not recommended to refreeze, instead of that, you can just seal them in portions, so that you can take out how much you need. Once you defrost the broccoli it will become mushy and soggy. Once you refreeze the broccoli there will change in texture and taste.
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Tips & Tricks For Freezing Broccoli
To freeze the broccoli we need to follow some tips commonly it might be any type of freezing method. Let us look into them below.
- Always cutting the broccoli florets with your hands will be the best way. So that there will be no mess.
- Broccoli always should be tender and fresh when you think of freezing it.
- For the best result, when you freeze broccoli blanch it first so that there will be no change in texture and taste.
- Don’t ever freeze the cooked broccoli as it will result in it being tasteless and flavorless.
- Always divide the portions that you use and then freeze the bags, so that you can thaw the amount you need.
FAQs on Can You Freeze Broccoli
Yes, broccoli will freeze well and is one of the most commonly frozen vegetables. And if you blanch it there will be no change in texture, taste, and color.
2. Can you freeze broccoli without blanching?
Yes, you can freeze broccoli without blanching, but it should be used within a few days, otherwise, it will become soggy and mushy. If you blanch it they will stay fresh for upto a year.
3. In how many ways you can freeze broccoli?
You can freeze the broccoli in several ways, like blanching the broccoli, steaming, cooking, and roasting broccoli.
Key Takeaways
We have shared the complete information regarding whether can we freeze broccoli or not upto our knowledge. If you think we have still more to know about freezing broccoli you can comment your question in the comment section. And also we have many more articles on our website canyoupreserve.com like can you freeze carrots, can you freeze zucchini and many more. Check the articles and bookmark our site for new updates.